Jennifer Lopez honored by Kerry Washington in Time 100

(WENN) — Kerry Washington has shared how she was inspired by Jennifer Lopez's success for a piece marking the singer, actress, and style icon's selection as one of the 2018 Time 100.

Each year editors at the magazine select the 100 people they believe are the world's most influential and J-Lo was picked as one of this year's "Icons" alongside fellow musicians Rihanna and Kesha, and "Black Panther" star Chadwick Boseman and director Ryan Coogler.

In her tribute to the "Get Right" singer, who like her is a native of New York's The Bronx neighborhood, Washington wrote that she had watched her idol perform and that her success in multiple fields taught her she could achieve anything.

"As a kid growing up in the Bronx, I used to watch Jennifer Lopez from the wings," Washington explained. "Several of us girls would hide in the folds of the curtains at the Boys & Girls Club to watch her perform. We were in awe of our neighborhood role model and phenom."

Washington continued, "She made me believe that you could come from where we came from and achieve whatever you imagine is possible."

The 41-year-old added that the star's charity work, family life, activism and familiar manner left her in awe.

"She is an undeniable force and a powerful example -- not just for women of color but for anyone who has been made to feel 'other' and for everyone who carries the burden and the privilege of being a first," the "Scandal" star explained. "To me, no matter how successful she becomes, she will always be Jenny from our block. And I will always be a grateful witness to her journey."

Other famous figures in the list published by Time editors on Thursday include Nicole Kidman, Guillermo del Toro, Gal Gadot, Hugh Jackman, Tiffany Haddish, Cardi B, as well as Prince Harry and his fiancee Meghan Markle.